Denver Broncos (2008–2009) In 2008, Kern won the starting punter job for the
Broncos, winning the job over competitor
Sam Paulescu. During his rookie season, Kern attempted 46 punts for an average of 46.7. He made his NFL debut the season opener against the
Oakland Raiders, recording two punts for 80 yards for a 40.0 average. Kern's longest punt of the year was 64 yards against the
San Diego Chargers in Week 2. On October 5, against the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he had five punts for a season-high 248 net yards for a 49.6 average. Kern gave away one touchdown that year against the Oakland Raiders in Week 12 when
Johnnie Lee Higgins took the punt back 89 yards for the score. Kern remained as the Broncos' punter in his second professional season. In the season-opener against the
Cincinnati Bengals, Kern had a season-high eight punts for a season-high 340 net yards for a 42.5 average. In the next game against the
Cleveland Browns, he had two punts for 109 net yards for a season-high 54.5 average. Despite having the third-highest yards per punt average in NFL history, Kern was waived by the Broncos on October 26, 2009.
Tennessee Titans (2009–2022) 2009–2016: Early career in Tennessee Kern was claimed off waivers by the
Tennessee Titans, replacing
Reggie Hodges. When Kern was released from the Broncos and claimed by the Titans, the Broncos were 6–0 while the Titans were 0–6. A subsequent Titans winning streak and Broncos losing streak led to a situation where teams with Kern on the roster had compiled a record of 11–0 to begin the season, despite the two teams being a collective 12–10 overall in that period. On November 1, Kern made his Titans debut against the
Jacksonville Jaguars. He had four punts for 193 net yards for a 48.25 average. Kern finished the 2009 season with 64 punts for 2,910 yards for a 45.47 average. Kern remained as the Titans' punter in the 2010 season. During the season opener against the
Oakland Raiders, he had four punts for 200 net yards for a season-high 50.0 average. During Week 16 against the
Kansas City Chiefs, Kern had a season-high eight punts for a season-high 352 net yards for a 44.0 average. Overall, in the 2010 season, he had 77 punts for 3,302 net yards for a 42.88 average. On February 24, Kern signed a four-year, $5.2 million contract extension with the Titans with $2.1 million guaranteed. During the season opener, Kern had seven punts for 291 net yards for a 41.57 average against the
Jacksonville Jaguars. Two weeks later against the
Denver Broncos, he had a 21-yard rush. During Week 8 against the
Indianapolis Colts, Kern had a season-high eight punts for a season-high 330 net yards for a 41.25 average. On December 4, against the
Buffalo Bills, he had five punts for 239 net yards for a season-high 47.8 average. Kern finished the 2011 season with 86 punts for 3,747 net yards for a 43.57 average. During the season opener, against the
New England Patriots, Kern had four punts for 209 net yards for a 52.25 average. During Week 14 against the
Indianapolis Colts, he had three punts for 165 net yards for a season-high 55.0 average. In the next game against the
New York Jets, Kern had a season-high 10 punts for a season-high 391 net yards for a 39.1 average. Overall, in the 2012 season, he had 81 punts for 3,855 yards for a 47.59 average. During the season-opener against the
Pittsburgh Steelers, Kern had five punts for 208 net yards for a 41.6 average. In the next game against the
Houston Texans, he had a season-high eight punts for 382 net yards for a 47.75 average. On December 8, against the
Denver Broncos, Kern had four punts for 201 net yards for a season-high 50.25 average. Overall, in the 2013 season, he had 78 punts for 3,386 net yards for a 43.41 average. In the season opener against the
Kansas City Chiefs, Kern had six punts for 304 net yards for a 50.67 average. During Week 10 against the
Baltimore Ravens, Kern had a season-high eight punts for a season-high 414 net yards for a 51.75 average. In the regular-season finale against the
Indianapolis Colts, he had seven punts for 383 net yards for a season-high 54.71 average. In addition, he had a career-long 79-yard punt in the game. Kern finished the 2014 season with 88 punts for 4,118 net yards for a 46.80 average. On March 8, 2015, Kern signed a five-year $15 million contract extension with the Titans. During the season opener against the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kern had four punts for 189 net yards for a 47.25 average. During Week 15 against the
New England Patriots, he had five punts for 272 net yards for a season-high 54.4 average. In the next game against the
Houston Texans, Kern had a season-high nine punts for a season-high 427 net yards for a 47.44 average. Overall, in the 2015 season, he recorded 88 punts for 4,175 net yards for a 47.44 average. In the season-opener against the
Minnesota Vikings, Kern had five punts for 231 net yards for a 46.2 average. Two weeks later against the
Oakland Raiders, he had six punts for 311 net yards for a season-high 51.83 average. During Week 16 against the
Jacksonville Jaguars, Kern had seven punts for a season-high 313 net yards for a 44.71 average. In the 2016 season, he finished with 77 punts for 3,402 net yards for a 44.18 average.
2017–2019: All–Pro and Pro Bowl seasons During the season-opener against the
Oakland Raiders, Kern had four punts for 188 net yards for a 47 average. Two weeks later against the
Seattle Seahawks, he had six punts for 341 net yards for a season-high 56.83 average. During Week 5 against the
Miami Dolphins, Kern had a career-high 10 punts for a franchise-record 549 net yards and a 54.9 average. On December 19, 2017, Kern was named to his first Pro Bowl. He finished the 2017 season with 75 punts for 3,728 net yards for a franchise-record 49.71 average. Kern was named second-team All-Pro. The Titans finished the 2017 season with a 9–7 record and qualified for the playoffs as the #5 seed. In the Wild Card Round against the
Kansas City Chiefs, Kern made his playoff debut. In the narrow 22–21 road victory, he had three punts for 131 net yards for a 43.7 average. In the Divisional Round against the
New England Patriots, Kern had seven punts for 316 net yards for a 45.14 average. On December 18, 2018, Kern was named to his second
Pro Bowl. Kern finished the season punting 74 times with 39 being inside the 20. On March 7, 2019, Kern signed a four-year, $12.55 million contract extension with the Titans. On December 17, 2019, Kern was selected to his third consecutive
Pro Bowl. He led the league in punts placed inside the 20-yard line with 37 and was named First-team All-Pro. The Titans finished the 2019 season with a 9–7 record and qualified for the playoffs as the #6 seed. In the Wild Card Round against the
New England Patriots, Kern had six punts for 275 net yards for a 45.8 average. In the Divisional Round against the
Baltimore Ravens, he had six punts for 315 net yards for a 52.5 average. In the AFC Championship Game against the
Kansas City Chiefs, Kern punted thrice for 139 net yards for a 46.3 average and threw a 28-yard completion to safety
Amani Hooker on a trick play during the fourth quarter.
2020–2022 On November 7, 2020, Kern was placed on injured reserve after suffering a wrist injury in Week 8 against the
Cincinnati Bengals. He was activated on November 28, 2020. Kern was placed on the reserve/
COVID-19 list by the Titans on December 29, 2020, and activated on January 2, 2021. The Titans finished the 2020 season atop the
AFC South with an 11–5 record and qualified for the playoffs. In the Wild Card Round against the
Baltimore Ravens, Kern had five punts for 228 net yards for a 45.6 average. On October 12, 2021, Kern was placed on the reserve/
COVID-19 list by the Titans. He had missed the two previous games with a groin injury. Kern was activated on October 22, 2021. The Titans finished the 2021 season atop the
AFC South with a 12–5 record and qualified for the playoffs as the #1 seed, earning a first-round bye. In the Divisional Round against the
Cincinnati Bengals, he had four punts for 166 yards for a 41.5 average. Kern was released by the Titans on August 29, 2022, after undrafted rookie
Ryan Stonehouse from
Colorado State won the starting job.
Philadelphia Eagles On December 13, 2022, Kern signed with the
Philadelphia Eagles' practice squad following an injury to their starting punter
Arryn Siposs during a Week 14 game against the
New York Giants. Kern was signed to the active roster on January 7, 2023. He appeared in four regular season games and two of the Eagles' postseason games.
Retirement On June 1, 2023, Kern announced his retirement from professional football. ==NFL career statistics==